Use of the gastrointestinal drug Reglan, and other generic drugs containing Metoclopramide, can cause a disabling neurological syndrome known as Tardive Dyskinesia, which involves involuntary and repetitive movements that can be permanent. These Reglan problems are devastating and socially disabling, causing severe physical, mental, social and emotional suffering.

The Reglan lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer reviewing potential lawsuits for users of Metoclopramide drugs who have developed Tardive Dyskinesia, Tardive Distonia or other related conditions.

Symptoms or Tardive Dyskenisia could include:

  • Grimacing, Puckering or Pursing of the Lips
  • Tongue Protrusions or Lip Smacking
  • Rapid Eye Movements and Blinking
  • Involuntary Movements of the Arms and Legs
  • Impaired Movements of the Fingers

Reglan lawsuits were reviewed as a result of the drug makers’ failure to warn potential users and the medical community about the risk of Tardive Dyskinesia side effets. New cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

METOCLOPRAMIDE / REGLAN PROBLEMS

Although it has been known for some time that Reglan and generic Metoclopramide medications can cause tardive diskinesia with chronic use, the manufacturers provided gross underestimations of the risk  and failed to warn about the risk associated with use of the drug for more than 4 to 12 weeks.

While the manufacturers indicated that the incidence of Tardive Dyskinesia with Reglan was only 0.2%, the actual rate of occurrence is likely more than 100 times higher.

Reglan is only approved for short-term use of less than 12 weeks for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetic gastroparesis and delayed gastric emptying.  However, approximately 30% of all prescriptions are for more 12 weeks, and in many cases more than a year.  The risk of Reglan problems with tardive dyskinesia developing are substantially increased with long-term use.

As a result of misrepresentations on the warning label and a failure to warn about the dangers of prescribing the drug long-term, many in the doctors in the medical community have remained unaware that they could be exposing their patients to the risk of a permanent and disabling neurological condition by continuing them on the medication.

The manufacturers knew that physicians and patients were unaware of the dangers of chronic use, and by failing to conduct adequate studies and warn about the Reglan problems, the pharmaceutical companies placed their desire to preserve the profits they were generating from the long-term use above patient safety.

REGLAN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS

Metoclopramide lawsuits were reviewed against the manufacturers of Reglan and the related generic medications for individuals throughout the United States.  Metoclopramide is currently only available as a generic, but it is still commonly referred to as Reglan, its trade name in the United States.  The drug is available as a tablet, oral concentrate, oral solution and injection.

In 2009, the FDA required the manufacturers of all metoclopramide-containing drugs to add a Tardive Dyskinsia “black box” warning, which is the strongest warning that can be placed on a prescription medication.  In addition, the manufacturers are now being required to implement a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy to ensure that patients are properly provided with information about the Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia problems.

The attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer reviewing potential Reglan lawsuits and class action suits throughout the United States for users who have suffered side effects like Tardive Dyskinesia, or related symptoms of involuntary facial movements.